Foods banned elsewhere allowed in US

Nutritionist lists 13 foods banned in other countries but allowed in US

MIAMI – A viewer found several foods banned in other countries but still allowed in the U.S. inside of her cabinet.

Samantha Lewin tries to eat well, especially now that she's expecting.

"Sometimes rice here and there, some pastas, but mostly a protein and vegetable for dinner," she told Local 10's Jen Herrera while standing in her kitchen.

Lewin double checks ingredients but was surprised to find some of the foods she eats are banned in other countries.

"There's a huge list of food additives that are on a list generally recognized as safe by the FDA, and it's a list of hundreds of food additives that are added to our food," said said nutritionist Lillian Craggs-Dino. "Some of the items on that list though probably need to be tested for their safety."

Additives like BHT, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, potassium bromate, and Olestra are banned in several countries.

Inside of Lewin's kitchen, she found BHT in two different types of cereal.

"Generally, we can say in small quantities they may be not harmful, but the problem is, we really don't know the consumer behavior and how much of that particular item they might be eating every day," said Craggs-Dino.

Lewin also found boxed sweet potatoes with Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 and a snack mix with Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and BHT.

Craggs-Dino recommends avoiding processed foods, and instead eating fresh and natural foods.

"I think going back to wholesome foods is where we really need to direct our eating habits," she said.

Click here to read the full list from Shape magazine.